The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) recently celebrated the completion of the $27.48 million La. 42 widening project in Ascension Parish.
Construction began in November 2017 and was completed last month.
La. 42 stretches 3.7 miles between U.S. 61 and La. 44. It carries more than 24,000 motorists daily. This is expected to increase to 37,500 by 2034.
“Ascension Parish has seen tremendous growth over the past decade,” DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson said. “In order to meet the needs of the residents in this parish, we must have infrastructure to support the economic and population growth. Not only has this project allowed for an increase in vehicle capacity, but also has improved bicycle and pedestrian mobility. Creating a lasting infrastructure system such as this is what will push our state forward.”
To accommodate growth, the highway was widened from two to four lanes.
Other work includes the construction of a six-foot sidewalk for pedestrians and a 10-foot bicycle/ pedestrian shared-use path; modification of sewer designs that were constructed during utility relocations; adding J-turns to assist larger vehicles with making U-turns; installing an 18-foot wide raised grass median between the east and westbound roadways; and adding additional drainage.
State and local officials attended the ceremony.